Pearl Lorentzen
Lakeside Leader
This year, the Slave Lake Curling Club joined Frost Fest.
“It’s something we’ve always talked about,” says Ryan Norman, club vice president. “We’re a winter sport. We should be involved.”
The curling club has Hit Tap Draw Skills on Sunday Feb. 13 and free drop-in curling Monday to Thursday.
Hit Tap Draw is open to anyone over five years old. However, the event is also a provincial qualifier for youth: aged six to 13. If they qualify, they can go on to provincials and potentially nationals.
Everyone else is “just there having fun,” says Norman. “Anyone can show up with clean shoes and stretching pants.”
The 18th annual Frost Fest is February 12 to 21 in Slave Lake. It is organized by the Town of Slave Lake in partnership with various community organizations.
“Frost Fest is a great opportunity to get out and be active during our long winter,” says Jill Hutchings, acting director of community services with the Town of Slave Lake, in the brochure.
The event kicks off with an indoor family carnival at the MRC (Slave Lake Multi Rec Centre) on Saturday, February 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It ends with Frolic in the Park on Family Day (Feb. 21) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Schurter Park.
February 13, there are two events: pool warrior swim (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) and Hit Tap Draw Skills at the curling club from 3 to 5 p.m.
February 14 to 18 a Story Walk (the pages of a book spread out on signs) is in the Rotary Club of Slave Lake Public Library. The Story Walk will also be at Frolic in the Park on Feb. 21.
On Feb. 14, there are also two evening events: drop-in curling at the Slave Lake curling club (7 to 9 p.m.) and ‘Back Home Again’ film screening and mental health discussion panel (7 to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom).
Drop-in curling is “an open invitation for anyone who wants to try curling,” says Norman.
February 15, there’s Snow Painting (4 to 6 p.m. at Schurter Park), a Human Library (from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom), and youth drop-in curling (6:30 to 8 p.m.).
Both the Human Library and ‘Back Home Again’ are put on by the Slave Lake and Area Mental Health Network and the Slave Lake Library.
February 16, drop-in curling (7 to 9 p.m.) and Full Moon X-Country Ski from 8:30 to 10 p.m. at Nine Mile Recreation Area.
February 17, there is Snow and Play (4 to 6 p.m. at Schurter Park), Family Fun Night (5 p.m. at Hilda Eben Park), and curling (7:30 to 9:30 p.m.).
Friday, February 18 is the last day for the snow fort competition. Registration opens on Feb. 13 – there are only 25 spots available; register at the MRC or through www.activecommunities.com.
Feb. 18 is also the start of All-In Winter organized by the Tourism Society (see separate article for details).
Feb. 19 there is an All Seasons Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the MRC. Feb. 19 to 21 is family fishing weekend, which means people do not need a fishing license to go fishing. At Big Fish Bay, there are All-In Winter events.
February 20 is Winter Adventure Day at the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (see ad below). It includes skiing, snowshoeing, and a campfire.
February 21 is Frolic in the Park.
Registration is required for many events. Many are free, but some have a cost. COVID restrictions vary. Event details are on the calendar on the Lakeside Leader website.
